Kyivstar Group Ltd. and the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation announced a partnership with Google to develop a national large‑language model (LLM) based on Google’s Gemma 3. The collaboration will use Gemma’s 128,000‑token context window and support for more than 140 languages to create an AI system tailored to Ukrainian language and cultural nuances.
Gemma 3, the latest open‑source model from Google, offers multimodal capabilities and a massive token context that enables deep, context‑aware responses. Kyivstar chose Gemma because its architecture is highly resource‑efficient, allowing the operator to run the model on its own cloud infrastructure while keeping costs lower than proprietary alternatives. The open‑source nature also aligns with Ukraine’s strategy of reducing reliance on dominant foreign AI platforms.
Kyivstar will lead the operational development and integration of the LLM into its Kyivstar Cloud platform, which it launched in 2024. By embedding the model into its existing cloud and digital services stack, Kyivstar can offer AI‑powered applications to public‑sector agencies, businesses, and citizens, creating new revenue streams and increasing customer stickiness for its multiplay services.
The partnership fits into a broader Ukrainian AI agenda that includes the Diia AI LLM project with NVIDIA and the WINWIN Strategy for Digital Development until 2030. It also dovetails with VEON’s $1 billion investment in Ukraine between 2023‑2027 and Kyivstar’s Nasdaq listing in August 2025, which together reinforce ties between Ukraine and the United States and signal confidence in the country’s post‑war reconstruction efforts.
Management emphasized the strategic importance of the deal. “Choosing an open‑source foundation like Gemma allows us to build a truly sovereign AI system that can be scaled across government and commercial sectors,” said Danylo Tsvok, Director of Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Kyivstar’s leadership sees the LLM as a cornerstone of its digital transformation strategy, positioning the operator as a key enabler of AI‑driven public services and a competitive differentiator in Ukraine’s telecom market.
The collaboration is expected to accelerate the deployment of AI solutions in areas such as public administration, education, and research, while also providing a platform for future AI innovations and potential licensing opportunities. Kyivstar’s investment in AI infrastructure signals a long‑term commitment to digital sovereignty and economic resilience in a post‑war context.
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